West of Nadi
Yasawa Islands Diving
Seasonal manta rays in the Yasawa chain, and easy, sheltered dives in the Mamanuca islands close to Nadi.
The islands
Yasawa Islands diving and the Mamanucas
Two island groups run north-west from Nadi on Viti Levu. The Mamanuca islands come first: small, close to the mainland and easy to reach by boat in under an hour or two. Beyond them lies the Yasawa group, a longer chain of volcanic islands with fewer resorts and a more remote feel. Ferries run up the chain from Port Denarau every day, stopping at island resorts along the way.
Yasawa Islands diving is best known for one thing: manta rays. In the cooler months, mantas gather to feed in a channel between the islands of Drawaqa and Naviti in the middle of the chain. Divers and snorkelers can join them with a guide. The rest of the year the Yasawas still offer pleasant reef diving, but it is the mantas that make the region famous.
The manta channel and the manta season
The manta channel between Drawaqa and Naviti funnels plankton-rich water past the islands on the tide. Reef manta rays come in to feed, swimming slowly back and forth with their mouths open. Sources agree that the main manta season runs from about May to October, the cooler months of the year, with sightings less reliable outside that window. Resorts near the channel run daily manta trips in season and send out spotters, so guests can get in the water when the mantas arrive.
Most manta encounters here are on snorkel, because the mantas often feed near the surface, but divers also see them in the channel. Either way, the experience depends on the animals turning up. Nobody can promise a sighting.
Swimming with mantas responsibly
Manta rays are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and are protected in Fiji. Manta swims are done with a guide who follows a code of conduct based on the Manta Trust's guidelines. In short:
- Keep your distance, at least a few metres, and never chase a manta.
- Do not touch. Touching damages the protective mucus on a manta's skin.
- Stay to the side, never above or directly in front of the manta's path.
- No flash photography, and enter the water quietly.
- Let the manta decide how close to come.
Research in the area is led by Manta Project Fiji, an affiliate of the Manta Trust set up in 2012, which works with resorts to identify individual mantas from their belly markings and learn how they use Fiji's waters. Some resorts let guests take part in this work by sending in photos. Find out more about the animals on our Fiji marine life page.
Mamanuca diving
Why the Mamanucas suit new divers
Close to Nadi
Day trips and short boat transfers from Denarau, with no domestic flight.
Sheltered water
Many reefs sit inside the barrier reef, so conditions are often calm.
Courses
Island resorts and dive centres teach try dives and full certification courses.
Reef life
Hard corals, turtles, reef sharks and plenty of reef fish on shallow sites.
Planning a Yasawa or Mamanuca trip
The Mamanucas are the easiest place in Fiji to fit in a few dives on a short trip or a family holiday. You can stay on Denarau or the Coral Coast and join a day boat, or stay on one of the islands and dive from the resort. They are also one of the best places in the country to learn to dive in Fiji, because the water is calm and the travel is short.
The Yasawas take a bit more planning. Island-hopping by ferry is popular, and resorts range from simple backpacker lodges to small luxury properties. If mantas are your goal, stay close to the channel during the season and allow several days, because the mantas do not appear every day. Use our best time to dive Fiji page to time the trip, and see Fiji dive trip planning for transfers and luggage.
Questions
Yasawa Islands diving FAQ
When is manta season in the Yasawa Islands?
About May to October, the cooler months, when mantas feed in the channel between Drawaqa and Naviti. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Do I need to be a diver to see mantas in the Yasawas?
No. Many manta encounters there are on snorkel, with a guide, because the mantas often feed near the surface.
How do I get to the Yasawa Islands?
A daily ferry runs up the chain from Port Denarau near Nadi, and some resorts offer seaplane or helicopter transfers.